Chronic Illness & SSP | How SSP Can Support You

Parkinson's Disease

Personalised SSP Support for Parkinson’s Disease

Living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be overwhelming, affecting not just movement but also energy levels, mood, and overall well-being. The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a powerful, evidence-based listening therapy designed to regulate the nervous system.

I have a special interest in using SSP to support clients with PD. Drawing on my medical expertise, passion for neuroscience, and years of experience working with SSP, I tailor SSP delivery to match each client’s needs and their unique challenges of PD. While SSP is not a cure, it can offer greater connection and hope to enhance quality of life.

Parkinson's Disease - A Personal Journey with Common Challenges

Each experience is unique care must be personalised, gentle, and deeply attuned.

Every experience of Parkinson’s disease is unique. That’s why care must be personalised, gentle, and deeply attuned to each individual’s needs, especially when delivering the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). SSP is most effective when adapted to each individual, honouring their pace, preferences, and lived experience.

While no two journeys are the same, many people with Parkinson’s face shared emotional, physical, and social challenges:

Shock of Diagnosis

The shock of a Parkinson’s diagnosis can be overwhelming – for both the person receiving it and their loved ones. It often brings a wave of emotional distress and a deep sense of loss, as the realisation sinks in that life may never be the same again.

This moment can be filled with fear, uncertainty, and questions about the future. Many people describe feeling grief for the life they expected to live, while families may struggle with how best to support their loved one while also processing their own emotions.

These feelings are a natural response to a major life change. Emotional well-being is just as important as physical health and acknowledging the psychological and social impact of Parkinson’s is a vital part of holistic care.

It is important to seek support to help you navigate these early stages, to know that you’re not alone, make sense of the emotions that arise, and begin to find calm, connection, and strength as you adjust to this new chapter.

Misunderstood Symptoms: The Hidden Struggles of Parkinson’s

One of the lesser-known challenges of Parkinson’s disease is the way symptoms are often misunderstood, both by strangers and sometimes even by loved ones. This can lead to painful feelings of being unseen, dismissed, or unfairly judged.

Changes in facial expression, voice, or body language can be misread as disinterest, irritability, or even intoxication.
Slowness of movement or visible tremors may attract unwanted attention or lead to false assumptions.
Fatigue, anxiety, or cognitive changes can affect how someone is perceived and responded to in everyday situations.

These misinterpretations can be emotionally distressing. They may lead to frustration, shame, or withdrawal from social situations. Over time, this can create a deep sense of isolation, not only for the person with Parkinson’s, but also for family members who witness their loved one’s struggle and feel unsure of how to help.

Raising awareness and cultivating compassion are essential. But equally important is finding the right kind of support that can help rebuild connection and restore confidence.

A gentle, personalised approach like Sensitive Approach with Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) can help those with PD begin to feel more understood, more connected, and more empowered.

Loss of Confidence & Social Withdrawal

As Parkinson’s progresses, many people experience changes that can deeply affect their confidence and social life. Communication may become more challenging, speech may be softer, facial expressions less animated, and responses slower. Mobility issues, such as tremors or stiffness, can make everyday interactions feel more difficult or unpredictable.

These changes can lead to a growing sense of self-consciousness or vulnerability, especially in social settings. Individuals may worry about being misunderstood, struggling to keep up with conversation, or becoming the focus of unwanted attention. Over time, this can result in avoiding social situations altogether, leading to withdrawal from activities, relationships, and communities that once brought joy and connection.

For family members, this gradual pulling away can be painful to witness, and it’s not always clear how best to offer support. What might look like disinterest or fatigue may, in fact, be rooted in a deep sense of loss or fear of embarrassment.

A gentle, person-centred support, like Sensitive Approach with SSP, can help those with PD reconnect with their sense of self, rebuild confidence, and re-engage with the people and activities that matter most.

Impact on Loved Ones: 'A Family Illness'

Parkinson’s disease doesn’t just affect the individual; it can also have a significant impact on family members and friends.
Some of the most common challenges include:

Loss of verbal and nonverbal communication, which can lead to emotional distance, misunderstandings, and feelings of sadness or loneliness for everyone involved.
Shifting family roles, as loved ones take on caregiving responsibilities. This can create physical and emotional strain and may raise financial concerns.
Ongoing communication difficulties, which may lead to emotional isolation, frustration, or a sense of helplessness, especially when it’s hard to express or interpret needs and feelings.
Mental health challenges, as caregivers manage the stress of supporting a loved one while trying to maintain their own well-being, relationships, and responsibilities.
Emotional distress, including guilt, grief, or a sense of loss, as families navigate the changing dynamics of the disease and adjust to a new “normal.”

I’m currently developing resources for Sensitive Approach wrap-around care to provide compassionate support for family and caregivers and create a space of understanding, connection, and hope.

How can SSP help?

Many clients begin to notice positive changes early in the process. These may include clearer speech and more expressive facial movements, which can be very encouraging, for both the individual and their loved ones. Other improvements, such as easier swallowing, better digestion, and more relaxed, flexible movement, often develop more gradually, yet in a sustained and meaningful way.

These shifts, whether small or more noticeable, can help to reduce anxiety, boost confidence and restore a sense of connection and hope.

Everyone’s experience is unique, and changes can happen gradually – but even small shifts can make a big difference.

Improved social connection

Enhanced facial expression

Improved mobility & balance

A meaningful reduction in their symptoms

Symptom reduction can improve other areas of your life

Supporting the effects of other therapies you may also be using

My work with SSP and Parkinson’s: A Pioneering Study

With the support of Dr. Stephen Porges, creator of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), I have been conducting a small feasibility study over the past few years to explore the effects of SSP on individuals living with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Working online with a small number of clients, each with different presentations and personal histories, this study has aimed to observe how SSP might influence symptoms related to PD. The results so far have been very encouraging, with many clients reporting notable improvements across a range of symptoms, including reduced anxiety, improved communication, better mobility, and enhanced overall well-being.

This pioneering work continues to evolve, and there is growing interest among international colleagues to collaborate on more detailed, formal research in this area.

It is an exciting time, and I am committed to continuing this exploration to better understand how a nervous system-based interventions like SSP combined with a relational approach such as my Sensitive Approach, can make a meaningful difference for people living with Parkinson’s.

Client Experiences
""The SSP has been incredibly effective for me. After 6 months, I can swallow normally, my rigidity has improved so much—I can now roll in bed, my arm moves freely, and I don’t shuffle when I walk anymore. and just move much better overall. Dr. Liz has also helped me understand how my childhood has shaped my nervous system and how it’s been impacting me all these years. I truly feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders, both literally and figuratively.”

Client Experiences
"After just one SSP session, I noticed positive changes in my Parkinson’s symptoms – clearer vision, stronger voice, more facial mobility, wider shoulders."

Client Experiences
"As I continued listening to SSP, I began to notice what was happening in my body—where my muscles were tense and where they were beginning to release. One way to describe what SSP has done for me is that it’s helped me become more in touch with myself. I’m more aware of my feelings and where I’m holding tension in my body.”

Client Experiences
"After about 40 SSP sessions, I’ve regained control over my life. My social life has improved, I feel significantly better, less anxious, and far more optimistic about the future. Many of my Parkinson’s symptoms—like tremor, flat affect, slurred speech, and rigidity—are noticeably reduced when I’m feeling regulated. I never imagined this kind of progress when we first started SSP."

Client Experiences
"Before SSP and Dr. Liz, I was desperate. Depression, anxiety, and Parkinson’s were overwhelming my life, and I was using all my energy just to get through each day. But right after the first sessions, things started to improve. Dr. Liz’s careful titration of SSP, combined with her deep knowledge, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm, made it easy for me to work with her. This, in turn, helped me address difficult issues with my somatic therapist.”

Jerry's Journey with SSP

Jerry lives in the US and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2020

Jerry lives on the west coast of the US with his wife of over 50 years, Judy. Judy’s interest in Polyvagal Theory lead to her discovery of SSP. In June 2021, Judy reached out to Dr Liz as she was concerned about the deterioration in Jerry’s PD symptoms. This began a transformative journey. Dr. Liz carefully titrated micro-doses of SSP to suit Jerry’s sensitive system during weekly online sessions, with Judy providing close support. This led to remarkable results.

2021 2022 2025

Video 1

The first video, ‘Before and After SSP’, offers a glimpse into this journey. Starting with clips from Jerry’s first three sessions in June 2021 followed by footage from a call 15 months later, in September 2022, after Jerry had completed three hours of listening. The transformation is truly remarkable and deeply moving.

Jerry continued his regular self-listening supported by Judy, making steady progress. With ongoing guidance from Dr Liz, he completed the fifth hour of SSP Core after 22 months. He then transitioned to SSP Balance before returning to SSP Core.

Video 2

The second video shows clips from a review call in February 2025, where Jerry and Judy share their joy with Dr. Liz about Jerry’s progress – and the positive impact it has had on their daily lives. Friends, family, and even healthcare professionals have noticed and commented on the improvements in Jerry.

In April 2025, Jerry underwent a four year follow-up evaluation at his local Neurology Movement Disorders Clinic. The neuropsychologist’s summary stated: “Overall, his current performance reflects a significant improvement in cognitive, functional, and psychological functioning.”

Following the evaluation, Judy wrote to Dr. Liz:

“Despite his nerves, Jerry was in exceptional form for the full three hours. You would be so proud of him! Thank you, a million-fold, for making this all possible.”

Here's what Jerry had to say about PD & SSP:

‘’So, I still have symptoms to remind me that I have PD but, as my support group says, I’m not fighting PD, I’m working with it to manage its progress. I have Dr. Liz to thank for that. She has given me the support, the tools, and the skills to reclaim my life and my love of living.”

The videos above highlight different aspects of my SSP work with Jerry, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I am deeply grateful to Jerry for his commitment to this work and for his generosity in sharing his journey so openly. His willingness to be part of this pioneering study offers valuable insight and hope to others navigating similar challenges.

Looking for more client journeys?

Working Together: Personalised SSP Support for Parkinson’s

My work with people living with Parkinson’s disease is now the heart of my practice. I value each and every client, and I take great care to ensure I have the time and capacity to offer the thoughtful, focused support that this work deserves.

Because I work closely and intentionally with a limited number of clients, I typically have a waiting list. When considering a new client, I do so carefully, ensuring I can provide the attention and continuity required for meaningful progress.

Client Experiences

"So many approaches tell you to ‘fight’ Parkinson’s—pushing, forcing, marching on. But that only tightens your body, drains your tolerance and keeps you stuck in trying to get back to who you used to be. This approach is different. It offers understanding, and space to acknowledge both the loss and the grief. You're encouraged to be kind to yourself, to honour the frustration, and to keep going—not with a battle cry, but with quiet resolve and persistence. It’s not about denial—it’s about investing your time and energy in what’s possible now, with curiosity, compassion, and courage. This approach turned my struggle into an unexpected adventure.”

"Parkinson’s is a cruel illness. Often, others notice the changes before you do. You don’t get the choice of privacy—it’s not something you can hide. And it doesn’t just affect you—it deeply impacts the people you love. For me, Parkinson’s took away my sense of privacy and control. It felt like a downward spiral. What’s different about Dr. Liz and her Sensitive Approach is the compassion, which gently interrupts that spiral. It offers a more hopeful path forward—with kindness, support, understanding, and practical tools to help improve your quality of life from the inside out.”

"Being referred to Dr. Liz for SSP to support my Parkinson’s was one of the most important and meaningful moments of my life. Working with her has been truly precious.”

"I believe the combination of SSP with a Sensitive Approach has been key to the improvement in my symptoms, especially with my history of complex trauma. Being able to trust while being seen and feeling safe was—and still is—crucial for me. That’s why the way the SSP provider interacts with me as a client is, in my view, incredibly important.”

If You’re Seeking Support Sooner

I offer an alternative that still ensures high-quality, consistent care, for those seeking support sooner than I am available.

I can refer you to a trusted, experienced SSP provider who has been trained in my Sensitive Approach and is well-suited to this delicate and specialised work. Providers are part of my ongoing mentoring program and have completed additional training specific to working with PD clients. Importantly, your care will remain under my guidance:

I provide clinical mentoring specific to your case – beginning with your intake and continuing through regular review sessions.
Client progress is monitored through assessments and feedback, ensuring that your care remains aligned with the Sensitive Approach principles and goals.

A Compassionate, Personalised Approach

Through my Sensitive Approach: Client at the Core framework, SSP sessions are thoughtfully adapted to meet each person exactly where they are, emotionally, physically, and neurologically. The goal isn’t just to manage symptoms – it’s to rebuild confidence, reawaken social connection, and restore a sense of calm and hope.

For those living with Parkinson’s, and for their families, this kind of support can open the door to greater resilience, stronger relationships, and a more connected, meaningful quality of life.

More about SSP and Parkinson's Disease

What is SSP?

SSP stands for the Safe and Sound Protocol. It is an evidence-based listening programme designed to engage the part of your nervous system that helps you feel more at ease and socially connected. Using specially filtered music, SSP works with your body’s natural responses to support a sense of calm, connection, and emotional regulation. You listen to the music through headphones in a safe, supportive environment with your therapist.

Individual SSP Support for Parkinson’s

When working with chronic conditions like Parkinson’s disease, the delivery of Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) listening must be carefully adapted to meet the unique needs of each individual.

No two experiences of Parkinson’s are the same. That’s why SSP support is personalised and thoughtfully paced, taking into account each person’s symptoms, sensitivities, and overall well-being.

SSP as Part of a Comprehensive Approach

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is not designed to be a standalone therapy. It is most effective when integrated with other therapies into a broader, supportive framework that addresses both physical and mental well-being.

Together, we will develop a customised listening plan, identifying the “just right” amount of SSP for your unique needs. This plan will be tailored to your current symptoms and capacity, and combined with supportive activities to use between listening sessions to help reinforce and extend the benefits.

Long-Term Integration for Sustained Benefits

Once we’ve established what works best for you, we’ll look at how to gradually integrate short, occasional self-listening sessions into your daily routine. These will be supported by periodic check-ins to ensure you’re feeling confident, safe, and on track.

By combining regular, calibrated self-listening with ongoing supportive practices, you’ll be better able to sustain, and even deepen, the positive effects of SSP over the long term.

Are you an SSP provider or clinician looking to find out more about Dr Liz’s clinical work using her Sensitive Approach™, including those with Parkinson's Disease?

In addition to offering 1:1 guidance, live workshops, and online modules, Dr Liz has now developed a comprehensive Training and Mentoring Course specifically focused on applying SSP with Parkinson’s disease.

This new programme is designed to equip providers with the insight, confidence, and tools needed to deliver SSP with the compassion, nuance, and clinical skill required for this delicate and specialised work.

Roy's Journey with Parkinson's & SSP

Roy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 at the age of 77, though he believes his symptoms began several years earlier. In 2017, he was also diagnosed with osteoporosis, which resulted in compression fractures in his lumbar spine that made it difficult for him to stand for long periods.

Motivated to explore supportive approaches, Roy began studying the Alexander Technique which included work with Betsy Polatin. Aware of Liz’s work with Parkinson’s, Betsy introduced Roy to her in 2023. Roy began working online with Liz in June 2023, and he noticed positive effects from the carefully titrated SSP in the very first session.

Video 1

This video shows clips from Roy’s first SSP session, when he expresses his delight at noticing positive changes after just over three minutes of listening. It then shifts to a call with Dr Liz 10 months later, as they reflect on the continued improvements resulting from his ongoing practice of regular, short SSP listening segments.

Video 2

The second video features clips from a review call with Roy in August 2025, more than two years into his regular SSP listening practice. In this conversation with Dr. Liz, Roy reflects on his ongoing progress, and his wife, Laurie also shares feedback highlighting improvements in both his walking and their emotional connection.

Roy now continues his regular SSP listening independently, with occasional check-ins with Dr Liz to monitor titration and supportive activities. He continues to experience ongoing benefits and improvements in his overall well-being.

Roy share the impact of Parkinson's disease:

“Parkinson’s disease is a life changer. Every case is different, but in one way or another it seeks to shut the person down. A walk becomes a shuffle. When you stop when walking or approach a narrow area, you might “freeze,” meaning you feel like you cannot lift either foot off the ground. A face loses its expressiveness. A voice becomes so soft it is difficult to hear. Drooling occurs because you don’t swallow as frequently as you did.

It takes so much effort to accomplish an everyday task. It seems like everything you do takes much longer than it did before Parkinson’s arrived. Which leads to frustration, which creates stress. And stress makes Parkinson’s symptoms worse. If you try to hurry, you are likely to take longer than if you took your time. And Parkinson’s is relentless. It is always there and tends to get worse over time.”

Roy describes his experience with SSP:

Roy describes the impact of Parkinson’s disease as a gradual but persistent challenge, affecting not only his physical abilities – like movement, balance, and speech – but also his emotional well-being and sense of independence. He speaks to the frustration of declining function, the fatigue that often accompanies daily tasks, and the emotional toll it can take. Yet, through supportive practices like SSP, Sensitive Approach and the Alexander Technique, he’s found renewed hope and a greater sense of connection to himself and those around him. Here’s what Roy had to say:

“My experience with SSP has been very positive. From the first listening session, I experienced beneficial changes as the session progressed: clearer and broader vision, stronger voice, more mobility in facial features, wider shoulders. These effects diminished between listening sessions, but quickly reappeared during the next session. In addition, when I moved around between sessions, I felt that my movements were more fluid. With the passage of time, the inter-session drop-off lessened until it disappeared. Listening to SSP has enabled me to be more in touch with myself. I am more aware of my feelings, as well as where in my body I am experiencing tightness.”

You can read more about Roy’s experience in the Spring 2024’s AmSAT Journal here

I am indebted to Jerry and Roy for their commitment to this work and for their generosity in sharing their experiences in this way.